Molding-machine.



780356 PATENTED JAN. 24, 1905.

- 0. BREITSOHWBRTH.

I MOLDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 00139. 1902. I

' TSSHEET 1.

I R vm'a d Emu/19 M 11 PATENTED JAN. 24, 1 905.

C BREITSGHWBRTH MOLDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 00129 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

M w F a C M/ 04 TTORNE No. 780,856. I, PATENTED JAN. 24, 1905.

' 0. BREITSG'HWBRTHK I MOLDING MAOHINE.

:APPLIOATION FILED 0073.9. 1902.

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I f MOT m UNITED STATES Patented January 24, 19(15.

PATENT OFFICE.

CONRAD BREITSOHVVERTH, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE HALETO JAMES C. BUTLER, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

L MOLDING-MACHINE.

. I I SPECIFIGATION'forming part of Letters Patent No. 780,856, dated January 24, 1905.

Application filed October 9, 1902' Serial No. 126,589.

. ful Improvements in Molding-Machines; and

I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a machine for molding flower-pots,in which the moistened clay is compressed into the desired form between the hollow mold and the core fitted thereto, and has as its object the production of a superior pot made of soft or plastic clay instead of the hard clay heretofore used in molding-machines.

As is well known, soft or plastic clay is a better material for flower-pots and similar articles than hard clay, and the potsof soft clay heretofore made by hand are of better quality; butto increase the production .molding-machines have been introduced and largely used. In such machines soft clay could not be used, because a pot in the machine formed thereof would be so tender that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to release and remove it from the core and mold without bending, buckling, or in some way distorting the freshly-made and soft pot. Therefore it has universally been necessary to use hard clay with such molding-machines in order that the newly-molded pot in the machine might have sufficient strength to permit it to be withdrawn without injury. However, hard clay being less tough and cohesive than soft clayisliable to crack, particularly around the upper edge, where the clay spreads as it is forced up, making a weaker pot, and also into such cracks the oil enters, preventing the uniting of the parts, which weakness develops in use, whereas pots formed of soft clay remain solid and perfect and are not liable to crack, and therebeing no cracks no oil can enter them. Furthermore, great pressure and much greater power is necessary to form the hard clay in the mold.

My invention lies in a new means for septhe pot from the latter.

- of my machine.

arating the pot from the core and mold in perfect safety, so that even large-size pots can be formed in a machine of soft clay; and it con sists, essentially, in the introduction of com- T pressed air between the molded pot and one or more of the molding-surfaces to separate In the constructlon of machine here shown, which has proved successful in practical use, I introduce the compressed air into the interior of the core,whence it is permitted to pass at the proper timev to the exterior of the core, separating and releasing the pot from the core, and in connection therewith I use a carrier to form the bottom of the pot supported in the base of the mold on springs, which are compressed as the pot is molded, but expand, retaining the carrier and the pot against the core for an instant as the mold is withdrawn, thus releasing the pot from the mold while it is still held against the core and immediately releasing and separating it from the core by the compressed air, which need not be of a high degree of compression. By these means I am able to mold by machinery a superior pot made of the natural soft clay and with less power than in the use of hard clay.

My invention is particularly useful in the production of larger pots, because hard clay is not so liable to crack in the smaller sizes and does well enough therefor.

I do not limit myself to any particular construction or arrangement of parts, for these may be much varied, and any suitable mechanism and power may be used to operate the parts showing the parts at the beginning of the op- I have also added certain 5 eration. Fig. II is a vertical cross-section through the core and mold at right angles to Fig. I, showing the parts forced together to form the pot. Fig. III is an enlarged crosssection of the mold and adjacent parts with the core in elevation, showing the parts with the mold withdrawn and the pot still supported against the core. Fig. IV is similar to Fig. III, but with the core and adjacent parts in section and the pot separated therefrom.-

of power and connected to operate the main shaft 11 in bearings 12 by any suitable means, as clutch mechanism, of which 8 is the member connected to the pulley 6; 7, the other member, thrown into and out of engagement by lever 9, suitably journaled and connected to rotate with main shaft 11 by means of a suitable spline.

13 13 are gears on the main shaft engaging with racks 14%, supporting the platform 15, fitted to the frame-rods and carrying the interchangeable mold 16, secured in position by bolts 17, preferably fitted to slots 18 for adjustment.

Through a central hole in the platform and base of the mold extends the tubular follower 21, on the upper end of which is arranged the carrier 22, fitted to the base of the mold to form the bottom of the pot and to sustain the molded pot, as hereinafter described. As the mold descends the lower end of the follower strikes a suitable stop 23 to sustain the carrier above the mold for the reception of the ball of clay, as shown in Fig. I. To the upper end of the follower and engaging with the shoulder thereon immediately below the carrier is fitted the sleeve 24:, having integral plate 25, sustained by a spring-support on hanger 28, secured to platform by hangerbolts 29. This plate 25 is provided with guidepins 27, fitting openings in the hanger, and

is supported by springs 26, which may be suitably arranged around the guide-pins.

indicates a suitable belt fitted to pulley 31'on counter-shaft 32 in bearings 83 and carrying bevel-pinion 34 to engage with bevelgear 35 on core-shaft 41 to rotate the core while the pot is being molded thereon. The core is suspended on the lower end of the tubular core-shaft by core-plate 12, fitted to the threaded end 14: of the core-shaft. The core is preferably made hollow for the introduction of the compressed air from any suitable source of supply through the pipe 46 to the upper end of the tubular core-shaft, whence it is permitted to pass to the exterior of the core around its bottom and sides by the construction best shown in Fig. IV. The core is provided in its interior with integral perforated web 70, carrying on bolts TI the beveled ring 75, fitting a corresponding opening in the bottom of the mold. On the web is suitably sustained the stud 71 for forming the hole in the bottom of the pot, the punchedout pieces of clay droppingdown through the hollow follower. The carrier may be shouldered at 7 2 to countersink the bottom of the pot. By this construction when the pot is being formed the beveled ring fits tight in the bottom of the mold and the compressed air cannot pass out, as shown in Fig. II; but when the pressure is withdrawn the beveled ring drops a trifle, permitting the compressed air to pass out and separate the pet from the mold, as best shown in Fig. IV

To form a well-finished upper edge to the pot, I have provided a rotating and verticallyreciprocating finisher 53, having the annular groove 54 and operated by any suitable mechanism. As here shown, the finisher is supported to rotate with the core on the finisher-plate 55, secured to the lower end of tubular linisher-shaft 51, provided with feather 52, engaging with corresponding spline in coreshaft 41, so that the finisher may be elevated and depressed while rotating with the core. The hub 50 is secured to the upper end of [inisher-shaft 51 to engage with lower top plate 3 and limit the downward movement of the finisher. The finisher is normally retained in upper non-operative position by the non-rotatingcollar 56, engaging with nut 66, secured to finisher-shaft 51, and is there sustained by meansof eounterpoise weight 67 on lever 51), suitably journaled at and connected to the collar by hangers 58. The finisher is depressed to engage with the upper edge of the pot by means of lever 63, suitably jouri'ialed at 6 1 and engaging with pins or other projections 0n the collar 56. The finisher, like the core and mold, is interchangeable for various sizes of pots. In Figs. I and II, where this construction is best shown, I have also shown vent 68 in the mold for the air and the forming-rib 69 sometimes arranged in the surface of the core to perfect the pot.

In Figs. V, VI, and VII, I have shown a new construction of core provided with antifriction forming rollers or rotating formers slightly to compress the clay after the pot is molded and to insure the formation of a perfect upper portion and exterior shoulder. The core is cut out at 80 to receive a block 81, provided with upper and lower bearings 81 for this rotating former, composed of integral head 82 and shaft 83, of which the shaft projects slightly beyond the surface of the core, and the lower part of the head projects a little more, it being essential that there should be more or lessoutward inclination at all parts of this rotating former toward its upper end, so as not to interfere with the withdrawal of the pot. The rotating former and its block are retained in position in the cut-out or groove formed in the periphery of the core by the top plate 85, secured to the core by bolts or screws 86. Immediately upon the formation of the pot 45 by the elevation of the mold this rotating former is brought into operation by the rotation of the core to slightly compress the clay, making the pot tougher and smoother both on its inside and outside surfaces. The head or enlarged upper portion of the rotating former insures the outward compression of the clay filling the angle of the mold and making a clean square shoul der 90 to engage with the upper margin of the pot below it when nested, as for transportation, and forming the interior of the pot opposite the shoulder with a very slight and clean curve 91. 92 indicates the hole in the bottom of the pot punched out by stud 71, and 93 is the countersunk base formed by shoulder 7 2 on carrier 22. These rotating formers are particularly adapted for the larger sizes of pots, and in Fig. IX, I have shown a variation in construction of the rotating former in which the shaft 83 is omitted. This former is particularly adapted for medium-size pots.

To operate the machine, the ball of soft 'or plastic clay is set on the follower and the parts suitably oiled. The power is then thrown into operation to elevate the platform and mold to compress the clay against the core and form the pot. The finisher is depressed to finish the top of the pot and the power then tained against the core by means of the carrier and'the expansion of springs 26. As the mold continues slowly to descend the carrier is first slightly withdrawn by engagement therewith of shoulder on upper end of follower, reliev ing the pressure on the bottom of the core, when the compressed air forces its way out through the annular opening around the bottom and sides of. the core, releasing the pot gently but efiectively therefrom, and the pot, released from both the mold and the core without injury, remains firmly supported on the carrier ready to be removed, to be first dried and then placed in the kiln and burned.

94 is a suitable counterpose for platform and mold connected to ears 95 thereon by ropes 96 passing over wheels 97.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

- 1. In a machine for molding clay vessels, the combination with a concave mold and a convex core fitted thereto,'of means to sup port the core and mold, means to force them together to form the clay arranged between them and means to introduce compressed air through openings in the core-bottom to the inner surface of the vessel, to release the vessel therefrom.

2. In a machine for molding clay vessels, the combination with aconcave mold, of a hollow core having perforations in its lower core, to pass out through the base-openings within the vessel and around the core, a concave mold suitably supported on the standard beneath the core and means to elevate the mold against the core to form the plastic clay arranged between them.

4. In a machine for molding clay vessels, the combination with a suitable standard, of a hollow, convex core suitably supported thereon having openings in its base, means to close said openings while the vessel is being formed by'the pressure of the mold against the core, the concave mold suitably supported on the standard, means for elevating the mold against the core and to form the clay arranged between them and means for introducing condensed air into the interior of the core.

5. In a machine for molding clay vessels, the combination with a suitable supportingstandard, of a tubular core-shaft suitably supported thereon, a hollow core having an opening in its base supported on the core-shaft, means to rotate the core and shaft, means to close the opening in the core-base while the vessel is being formed, a concave mold suitably snpported on the standard, means to elevate the mold against the core to compress and form the clay between them, means to withdraw the mold, and means to supply'condensed air to the core-shaft and 'core during the operation of the machine.

'6. In a machine for molding clay vessels, the combination with a suitable supportingstandard, of atubular core-shaffiahollow core supported thereon having an annular opening in its base, an annular ring fitted thereto and suitably connected to the core to be forced upwardly to close the opening while the vessel is being formed, of a concave mold suitably supported on the standard, means to elevate the mold against the core and to withdraw it therefrom, a pipe connecting with the coreshaft, and means to supply condensed air thereto to release the formed vessel from the core when the pressure of the mold is withdrawn,

7. In a machine for molding clay vessels, the combination with a suitable supportingbase, frame-rods arranged thereon, top plates supported on the upper end of the frame-rods, a tubular core-shaft vertically supported in the top plates, a core-plate fitted to the lower end of the core-shaft, a hollow core secured to the core-plate and having a beveled annular opening in its base, a perforated integral web in the core-shaft, a downwardlydepending stud connected thereto, a beveled annular ring fitted to the annular opening, bolts for securing said beveled ring on the web, said beveled ring being capable of a slight vertical movement, a platform fitted to slide on the framerods, a concave mold arranged on the platform, means to elevate the platform and mold against the core to compress the clay and to permit it to drop therefrom when the vessel has been formed, a pipe for condensed air to the upper end of the core-shaft, and means tosupply condensed air to the pipe.

8. In a machine for molding clay vessels,

the combination with a suitable supporting standard, of a convex core suitably supported thereon, a platform fitted to slide on the standard, a concave mold supported on the platform and provided with a central hole registering with a corresponding hole in the platform, a tubular follower arranged to depend through said holes, a carrier arranged on the upper end of the follower and forming the bottom of the mold, a hanger-plate supported on and below the platform, and a spring-support carried on the platform tending to maintain the carrier a short distance above the bottom of the mold. 9. In a machine for molding clay vessels, the combination with a suitable base, of vertical frame-rods arranged thereon, top plates on the frame-rods, a convex core suitably supported on the top plates, a platform fitted to slide on the frame-rods, a concave mold supported on the platform and provided with a central hole registering with a corresponding hole in the platform, a tubular follower arranged to depend through said hole or aperture, a flat carrier arranged on the upper end of the follower and forming the bottom of the mold, a hanger-plate supported below the platform, springs thereon, and an intermediate part supported on the springs and engaging with the follower tending to maintain the carrier a short distance above the bottom of the mold.

' 10. In a machine for molding clay vessels,

the combination with a suitable base, vertical frame-rods arranged thereon, top plates on the frame-rods, a convex core suitably supported on the top plates, a platform fitted to slide on the frame-rods, a concave mold supported on the platform, means to elevate the platform and mold against the core to form the clay, a carrier having a shoulder on its upper face fitted within the mold and forming the bottom thereof, a tubular follower connected to the carrier and depending through an aperture in the base of the mold and the platform, a shoulder on the upper end of the follower, a hanger suitably suspended below the platform, a sleeve arranged around the upper end of the follower and adapted to engage with the follower-shoulder,an integral plate on said sleeve, coil-springs arranged on the hanger to engage with the plate and support the carrier a short distance above the base of the mold, and guidepins on the integral plate depending through the springs and holes in the hanger.

11. In a machine for molding clay vessels, the combination with a suitable support, a concave mold and a convex core fitted to the mold, of means to force the mold and core together, a carrier arranged in the bottom of the mold and supported on springs a small distance above the bottom of the mold whereby the molded vessel is first released from engagement with the mold when the parts are separated, and of means to introduce compressed air between the inner surface of the molded vessel and the outer surface of the core to release the vessel from the core after it has been released from the mold.

12. In a machine for molding clay vessels, the combination with a suitable supportingstandard, of a convex hollow core thereon, a concave mold supported thereon below the core, means to force the mold upwardly on the standard to form the clay arranged between it and the core, of a carrier fitted to the mold, springs supporting the carrier a small distance above the bottom of the mold, whereby, when the pressure is relieved the molded, vessel is first disengaged from the mold, and means to introduce compressed air to the interior of the core whence it passes out when the pressure is relieved to disengage the molded vessel from the core after it has been disengaged from the mold.

18. In a machine for molding clay vessels, the combination with a suitable supportingbase, frame-rods arranged thereon, top plates supported on the upper end of the 'fl'm10-1('uls, a tubular core-shaft vertically supported in the top plate, a core-plate fitted to the lower end of the core-shaft, a hollow core secured to the core-plate and having a beveled annular opening in its base, a perforated integral web in the core-shaft, a down\ *ardly-depeiuling stud connected thereto, a beveled annular ring fitted to the annular opening, bolts for securing said beveled ring on the web, said beveled ring being capable of a slight vertical I movement, a platform fitted to slide on the frame-rods, a concave mold supported on the platform, means to elevate the platform and mold against the core to form the clay, a carrier having a shoulder on its upper face fitted within the mold and forming the bottom thereof, a tubular follower connected to the carrier and depending through an aperture in the base of the mold and the platform, a shoulder on the upper end of the follower, a hanger suitably suspended below the platform, a sleeve arranged around the upper end of the follower and adapted to engage with the follower-shoulder, an integral plate on said sleeve, coil-springs arranged on the hanger to support the plate and maintain the carrier a short distance above the base of the mold, guidepins on the integral plate depending through the springs and holes in the baseof the carrier, a suitable source of condensed air, a pipe therefrom to the core-shaft, and means to rotate the core-shaft, core-plate and core.

1 1. In a machine for molding clay vessels, a convex tapering core arranged to fit within a correspondingly-formed mold and to operate in connection with the mold to form the pot, and a rotating former journaled in the periphery of the core and projecting a short distance therefrom.

15. In a machine for molding clay vessels, a convex core to fit within a correspondinglyformed concave mold and to be operated in connection therewith to form the vessel, and a rotating former journaled in the periphery of the mold and provided with a head extending outwardly a small distance therefrom, the amount of extension or projection increasing slightly from above downwardly.

16. In a machine for molding clay vessels, a core in the frame, of a tapering cone with its smaller end arranged downwardly and adapted to be operated in connection with a concave mold to form the vessel, journal-bearings in the edge of the core, and a rotating former journaled in the bearings and parallel to the edge of the core, so as to project a short distance beyond its said surface, the former consisting of an upper head having a gradually-increasing amount of projection from above downwardly, and of an integral shaft arranged below the head, said shaft having a uniform degree of projection from end to'end and lesser in extent than the greatest projection of the head.

17 In a machine for molding clay vessels, the combination with a suitable supportingframe, of a-concave mold suitably arranged thereon, a convex core suitably arranged.

thereon above the mold, means to elevate the mold against the core to compress the clay arranged between them and to retract the mold, a finisher arranged about the upper portion of the core and having an annular groove, and means to depress the finisher after the clay plates supported on the upper end of the frame-.

rods, a tubular core-shaft vertically supported in the top .plates, a beveled gear on the core-shaft, a counter-shaft, a beveledpinion on the counter-shaft engaging with the beveled gear, means to rotate the counter-shaft and thereby the core-shaft and core during the operation of the machine, a core-plate secured on the lower end of the core-shaft, a hollow core secured to the core-plate and having a beveled annular opening in its base, an integral perforated webwithin the core, a tip downwardly depending from the web below the base of the core, bolts fitted to the web, an annular beveled plate secured to the lower end of the bolts and fitted to the annular opento the lower surface of the finisher-plate and having an annular groove to engage with the upper end of the vessel when it is formed, a nut secured on the finisher-shaft, a non-rotating sleeve arranged between the finisher-plate and said nut, a weighted lever suitably journaled and connected by hangers to said sleeve to maintain the finisher in an elevated position, and a hand-lever suitably journaled and adapted to engage with projections on said non-rotating sleeve to depress the finisher against the vessel; a platform fitted to slide up and down on the frame-rods, a concave mold secured on the upper surface of the platform by bolts fitted to slots in the platform, a carrier having a shoulder on its upper surface fitted tothe lower portion of the mold and forming the bottom thereof and having a central hole, a tubular follower supporting the carrier and depending through a hole in the platform and having its opening registering with the hole in the carrier, an integral shoulder on the follower, a hanger suspended below the platform, a sleeve surrounding the upper end of the follower and adapted to engage with the follower-shoulder, an integral plate on the sleeve, coil-springs arranged between said integral plate and the hanger, guide-pins depending from the plate through the coil-springs and openings in the hanger,

rotated to elevate the platform, or is thrown out of operation permitting the platform to descend.

19. In a machine for molding clay vessels, the combination with a suitable supportingstandard, of a convex core suitably supported thereon, a platform suitably supported there on beneath the core, a concave mold arranged on the platform, a separate plate or carrier forming the bottom of the mold, a hangerplate supported below the platform,-a follower connected to the carrier and extending down through the platform and the hanger-plate, and a plurality of springs 0n the hanger to engage with projections, which engage with the follower, said springs tending to maintain the carrier a slight distance above the bottom of the mold.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CONRAD BREITSCI'DVERTI'L Witnesses:

C. C. SCHOENECK, GEORGE MAURER. 

